DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 2
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 40.02), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget
2026 Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in astronomy & astrophysics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools
For return on investment in astronomy & astrophysics, no school beat University Of California Los Angeles this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #2 place for astronomy & astrophysics. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the astronomy & astrophysics program here. Astronomy & Astrophysics graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $54,746 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Santa Cruz earned it the #3 place for astronomy & astrophysics. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for astronomy & astrophysics graduates is $20,500. Early-career astronomy & astrophysics graduates make about $35,171. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in astronomy & astrophysics will find it at California Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Soon after graduation, astronomy & astrophysics degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. The acceptance rate is 3%.
[Astronomy & Astrophysics](/majors/physical-sciences/astronomy-and-astrophysics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
